10 days to Bubba's first Christmas - WHAT! Where did this year go? I can't believe our tree is up, house is decorated, presents are (almost) all bought and family arrives on Monday. Crazy! Just crazy!
JJ is now over the 10 month mark (and the 23lb mark) and just wants to walk everywhere. Unfortunately he can't walk. Yep, that leads to a bit of frustration but with some help from Mommy and Daddy he'll motor about in whichever direction he wants to go in (usually towards the big purple ornaments on the tree). He can now stand up without much help but hasn't figured out getting there from the floor yet. He is so cute, he kind of leads with his arms and belly, sort of like a baby zombie, and takes ridiculously huge strides until he reaches his goal. Then he usually turns around to see where else he can go. E has an aching back from doing this all day. Once I'm done work I know I will too!
JJ has also started to really communicate when he doesn't want something, when he's full or when he's bored. Very handy. Now I want to know why he thinks the top of my head is so funny and why the food from my bowl/plate tastes better than his (because he will almost always eat more if we give it to him from a source other than his high chair tray).
Another development has been JJ weening himself. It seems so strange that E's breastfeeding days are done (until Baby #2 of course) but I must admit the freedom that comes with that will be nice. Last weekend we got to spend quality time together Christmas shopping and having lunch downtown while Grandma had JJ. It was really good to have that time for the two of us and I know we plan on doing more things like that now JJ is getting older. Our first night away (and associated sleep in) may be not that far away! Thankfully for whoever babysits, Bubba is sleeping quite well these days too!
Bubba's first Christmas will be really fun, lots of family, friends and his first chance to unwrap gifts (and play with the box and/or paper rather than the gift no doubt). I know he won't really get it this year but he definitely likes all our Christmas decorations and I'm sure he'll have a blast being surrounded by family. I'm also really excited too. I think I'm enjoying updating our little "days to Christmas" countdown the most of anyone in the house.
I'm nervously looking forward to the New Year. I've taken the last three weeks of E's parental leave so we can ease ourselves into E being back to work and JJ going to day care. So far I've only had Bubba on my own for a couple of hours at most. Having him all day will be awesome (and challenging!). I'm pretty sure I will be completely exhausted when E arrives home from her first day of work and wonder how on Earth she has looked after Jack for the last 10 months... Getting to spend the best part of a month at home with our little guy will be priceless and I'm excited to be able to do it, Thank you Queen's! I'm hoping for decent weather so we can get out and about and I think E is going to introduce me to all the playgroups she takes JJ to (I apologise in advance for my poor signing).
We're also hoping to slowly ease Bubba into his new day care. I can't imagine just showing up on day 1 and leaving him there. I also can't imagine both of us having to get ready, get JJ ready, load the car and get downtown via day care in time for work. Don't even ask me about how we'll get dinner on the table when we've both been at work all day.... I know everyone manages it but I can't figure it out right now!
The best gift this Christmas though (cheesy I know) will be the return of Uncle C and soon Auntie A and Lulu too! I know Bubba will really enjoy the company of two new baby sitters (plus a canine friend) and his parents are really looking forward to them being here too!
